We Solve Problems By Banning Movies: Anurag Kashyap

Mumbai: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, actors Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra have expressed support for the release of the film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in trouble after a group of nearly 450 cinema owners announced it would not screen films with Pakistani actors in four states.

The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India or COEAI recently said it won’t release films starring actors from Pakistan, in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.

This has led to an uncertainty on the release of Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, as it features Pakistani star Fawad Khan. The movie, also starring Aishwarya Rai, Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, is slated to hit the theatres on October 28.

Mr. Anurag Kashyap took to twitter to express his rant against the association. He tweeted : “The World must learn from us.. We solve all our problems by blaming it on movies and banning it.. #ADHM . With you on this @karanjohar.”

Expressing his outrage, he also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore last year and demanded an apology. He pointed out that Karan Johar was shooting the film at the time PM Modi was being hosted by Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif.

The BJP condemned the comment. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, “It is a political comment. It is regrettable that he has equated foreign policy to the funding of a feature film.”

Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt said she felt it is unfair to stall the release of a film. The actress said she has seen bits of the movie and found it beautiful.

“On a personal level I found the film very beautiful and I’ve seen bits of it. It is an emotional film. On the other level, as a proud resident of this country and as a privileged member of the industry, I feel whatever is happening with the film at this point is unfair,” she said.

“Because when the film was shot, a year ago, the climate was nice. The current climate I know how it is, but it was good back then,” she told reporters in Mumbai last night.

“Instead of banning and boycotting films, I wonder how many self-proclaimed patriots make any real contribution benefiting our soldiers?” she said, rallying behind Mr Johar and wishing him all the best for the film.